Process of producing ferro alloys.



E. 1?. PRICE.

PEOGESS 0P PRODUCING FERRO ALLOYS.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 1, 1907.

Patented Dec- 7, 1909.

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v UNITED sT tras rairENT ornion.

EDGAR 1?. PRICE, NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, IBY MESNEASSIGNMENTS,

TO CENTRAL TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, TRUSTEE, A CORPORATION OF YORK.

PROCESS OF PRODUCING FERRO ALLOYS.

for example a. mixture of silica, iron ore" and carbon, is maintainedaround depending carbon electrodes of opposite polarity, therebyembedding the zone of reduction, re-

' ing reduction.

taining the heat within the furnace, increasing the production of metal,keeping the slag in a liquid condition, and protecting the electrodesfrom the oxidizing and cooling effectof the atmosphere. While the useof'this deep charge-body is advantageous, it is found necessary inpractice to employ a charge of coarsely-granular materials, in order topermit the ready escape of the large volumes of as which are evolveddurfinely-divided charge is preferable in many respects, enablingreduction to proceed more rapidly and smoothly, but when a deep body offinelydivided materials is maintained around the electrodes, the gasesescape violently by by a deep body of a finely-divided charge.

The waste gases are withdrawn laterally in different directions beneaththe surface of the charge.

Suitable apparatus for carrying out the.

rocess is shown in the accompanying drawmgs, in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of an electric furnace; andFig. 2 is a vertical section of the same furnace, in a plane at rightangles to that of Fig. 1.

The furnace illustrated comprises a rectangular or circular iron pot l,with double sidewalls andinbottom containing water- Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

chambers 2. The lower part ofthe pot has a carbon lining 3. Superposedta holes 4, 5 for metal and slag respective y extend through one side ofthe pot. A downwardly-inclined rectangularor annular shelf 6 extendsinward from the sides of the pot, about midway its height. This shelf,which may be of cast steel, has a continuous waterchamber 7 opening intothe spaces 2 of the side walls. A series of openings 8 extend.horizontally through the side walls of the pot, beneath the shelf 6, andcommunicate with an external horizontal passage 9 from which leads anexhaust pipe 10. Carbon electrodes 11, 12 of opposite polarity de pendinto the pot. The charge 13, for example a'mixture of silica,-carbon andpieces of iron or iron ore, rests on the shelf 6 and extends upwardaround the electrodes so as to embed the major portion of them. Duringoperation, the charge gravitates downward and is directed inward towardthe zone of reduction by the sloping shelf, while the spaces 14 beneaththe shelf remain open and, with the openings 8, external passage 9, andpipe 10, provide free lateral exits for the waste gases. The reducedmetal and slag collect in superposed layers 15, 16 and are withdrawnfrom time to time through the tapholes 4, 5. By thus withdrawing thewaste gases laterally in different directions beneath the surface of thecharge, it is possible to effect the production of fcrro-alloys by theprocess of my specified Patent 790,391, and to employ a charge of finelydivided materials, thereby decreasing the cost and increasing the speedand regularity of the reduction.

I claim:

1 The process of producing ferro-alloys, whlch consists in electricallysmelting a finely-divided charge of. a metallic compound, a reducingagent and a source of iron, surrounding and embedding the zone ofreduction and protecting the electrodes from the oxidizing and coolingeffect of the atmosphere by a considerable body of the charge,andwithdrawing the waste gases beneath the surface of the charge.

2. The process of producing ferro-alloys, which consists in electricallysmelting a finely-divided charge of a metallic compound, a reducingagent and a source of iron, surrounding and embedding the zone ofreduction and protecting the electrodes from the oxidizing and coolingeffect of the atmosphere by a considerable body of: the charge, andwil'hdrz'ming the Waste gases lat orally in dillerent directions beneaththe surface of the charge.

The process of producing ferro-silicon,

. L5 in electrically smelting u finely-divided char e of a siliconcompound, :1 rmlucing agent and a source of irnn, surrounding andembeihling the zone reduclion and protectingthe electredes from theoxidizing and cooling effect; of the atmosphere by a censidcrnble bodyof he charge, and \villul'awing the Waste gases beneiith the surface ofthe charge.

4-. The process of producing ferro-silicen.

which consists in electrically smelting :1 finelyelivided charge of :1silicon compound, a reducing agent and :zsource of iron, surrounding andembedding the zone of reduction and protecting the electrodes from theoxidizing and cooling ellecl; of (the alums phere by a considerable bodyof the charge, and Withdrmving the Wusle gases laterally in differentthe chi! rge.

In testimony whereof, I zillix my signature in presence'of twowitne=sesx EDGAR F. PlllCll. il'nesses I. R. Ennioxns, H. L. l'miiss.

directions beneath the suilnee cl.

